Unitary container and closure with dispensing means and apparatus for storage thereof

ABSTRACT

A container with various dispensing elements adapted for use with the container and an apparatus employed with at least one of the containers for orderly storage of and convenient access to the container at a predetermined location. The container comprises an elongated tube, sealed permanently at one end normally the base; the tubular portion of the container tapers from the two-dimensional base to a linear seal beyond which extends an upper tabular portion of the container which may be selectively adapted for the dispensation of whatever contents with which the container is used. The structure and operation of the container is accomplished by the selective disposition of scores in selected material of construction of the container. Normally the linear seal of the container is maintained in a closed position, protecting the contents from spilling and spoilation. The container is opened by squeezing opposite sides of the container at the location of scores in the container. At least one of the containers may be stored in a rack especially adapted for use with the container of the invention herein described.

United States Patent 1191 Cousins 1451 Sept. 16, 1975 UNITARY CONTAINERAND CLOSURE WITH DISPENSING MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR STORAGE THEREOF [76]Inventor: Morison S. Cousins, 595 Madison Ave., New York, NY. 10022 [22]Filed: Nov. 16, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 307,063

[52] U.S. Cl. 229/4.5; 229/1.5 R [51] Int. Cl. B65d 3/08 [58] Field ofSearch 229/4.5, DIG. 5, 1.5 R, 229/17 R [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 1,596,856 8/1926 Clark Z29/DIG. 5 1,961,382 6/1934 Nuncs229/l.5 R R17 5()3 11/1929 Reilly Z29/1.5 R

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 85,703 2/1936 Sweden 229/l.5 R

Primary Examiner-William 1. Price Assistant ExaminerDouglas B. FarrowAttorney, Agent, or Firm-John Q. McQuillan 5 7 ABSTRACT A container withvarious dispensing elements adapted for use with the container and anapparatus employed with at least one of the containers for orderlystorage of and convenient access to the container at a predeterminedlocation.

The container comprises an elongated tube, sealed permanently at one endnormally the base; the tubular portion of the container tapers from thetwo-dimensional base to a linear seal beyond which extends an uppertabular portion of the container which may be selectively adapted forthe dispensation of whatever contents with which the container is used.

The structure and operation of the container is accomplished by theselective disposition of scores in selected material of construction ofthe container.

Normally the linear seal of the container is maintained in a closedposition, protecting the contents from spilling and spoilation. Thecontainer is opened by squeezing opposite sides of the container at thelocation of scores in the container.

At least one of the containers may be stored in a rack especiallyadapted for use with the container of the invention herein described.

13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures UNITARY CONTAINER AND CLOSURE WITHDISPENSING MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR STORAGE THEREOF PRIOR ART AND FIELDOF INVENTION Of conventional containers, in volume less than approximately one gallon, used in the marketplace, many have intrinsicdisadvantages. For example, boxes, other containers made of paperboard,bottles, jars and cans, the most common containers, while allfunctional, are in many instances limited in their use and applicationeither by the material from which they are constructed or the verynature of the container itself.

Desirable attributes of container designand construction are that acontainer be made of an inexpensive material, be simple in constructionand have few separate pieces. Since many containers are used by aconsumer over a relatively long period of time, usually until thecontents of the container are exhausted, one important factor in acontainer is the ease with which the container is opened to permitaccess to the contents through pouring, shaking or otherwise, and closedto seal the contents to prevent spillage, spoilation and the like.Permanence and effectiveness of a container seal is likewise animportant factor in the design and usefulness of a container.

That the contents of a container are not immediately used up by aconsumer suggests as well that containers must be stored over a periodof time until the contents, as needed, are fully consumed. Consequently,ease of storage of, and particularly, access to containers in storageare additional factors contributing to the usefulness of any particularcontainer.

As well, regardless'of the ability of a container to meet the aboverequirements, an additional desirable factor in a container considersits intrinsic attractiveness to a consumer, that it have visual appealat the point of the consumers purchase.

Generally, paperboard containers such as six-sided cubical orrectangular boxes and the gable topped milk container such as that ofthe nature described in U.S. Pat. Re. No. 26,305 Plastic CoatedContainers," Nov. 21, 1967 and US. Pat. No. 3,421,678 Profile CoatedCarton, Jan. 14, 1969 are constructed by scoring and folding paperboardinto a series of planes. While such types of containers are usuallyfunctional, they lack a factor of newness, appear dull to the eye andfail to stimulate the consumer by visual intrigue.

Ordinarily opening and closing of a six-sided box requires that the boxclosure or cover be separate from the body or that closing beaccomplished by manipulation of a plurality of flaps, one over another.While the referenced gable topped containers provide a semipermanentseal over the lip of the container, operation of the seal, comprising aseries of pushes and pulls, separate from the step of pouring thecontents is awkward. As well, construction of such containers isdifficult since numerous folds and scores are necessary.

Considering the desirability of a unitary container and closuretherefor, besides the U.S. Pat. Re. No. 26,305 and No. 3,421,678 recitedabove, other attempts have been made at constructing a self-closingcontainer out of various materials. For example, US. Patv No. 3,272,248,Closure for Flexible Receptacles. Sept. 13, I966, discloses a pouch typeof container having a self-closing feature; however. the selfclosing iseffected by means of ancillary springs made of material other than thatfrom which the package is constructed. The springs provide the necessarymemory" to close the pouch after it is opened by squeezing, butnevertheless complicate the construction of the container and increaseits ultimate cost. 7

Glass containers including bottles and jars have disadvantages includingthe fragility of their material of construction and the fact that mostoften separate caps and closures are necessary to seal the contentsinside.

Cans and similar containers are not generally adapted for rescaling forusually in opening a circular top portion of the can is permanently cutoff or otherwise broken. Cans that are adapted for rescaling of thecontents generally require, as do bottles and jars, separate lids, capsor other closures. My container, described hereafter, offers substantialadvantages over conventional containers. It is simply constructed andmade from readily available and inexpensive material. In a onev pieceunitary design it incorporates a selfsealing featureinto the body of thecontainer itself. Its self-sealing feature is easily operated, evenconcurrently with the step of emptying contents from the container by,for example, pouring or shaking. My container is adapted to hold a widevariety of contents in commercially useful quantities including liquidsand solids, food, other materials such as small hardware, officesupplies, or any other goods currently packaged for sale in a container.Preferably, however, but not limited to such applications, my containerand its advantages can be put to its most efficient use by packagingliquids or granular or other substances adapted for pouring, shaking orsimilar/disposal where the contents of the package are not normally usedat once in a unit by the consumer, but ,rather are dispensed in portionsas needed.

As well, when used in combination with a rack specially adapted for usewith my container, the container can be easily stored, its contentsreadily identified, and at thesame time be readily accessible.Additionally the design attributes of my container lend the container anattractive appearanee'to the consumer and can provide visual stimulationat the point of purchase.

The advantages of my container are attributable to my utilization of amuch ignored and rarely considered characteristic of common packagingmaterial. Most packages are constructed from material which isoriginally in or eventually assumes a sheet form which is fashioned intotubes, boxes or other shape desired in a container. Many such materials,including paperboard have a characteristic called snap, i.e., theability of the material in one direction to flex under pressure and thenreturn to its original shape upon release of that pressure. I

l have utilized the snap quality of such material, in combination withcarefully placed scores which define specific areas in the material,creating internal structural stresses, and have discovered that a onepiece container, combining both a receptacle for contents and asemi-permanent closure in a simply operated unitary construction can beachieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS nently scalable until opened by theconsumer for use, and thereafter adapted if desired for shaking thecontents therein when needed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the container exhibiting again, thevarious elements of the container.

FIG. 3 depicts a variation of the container here, adapted for pouringdisposal of the contents, in the upper tabular portion thereof.

FIG. 4 depicts a blank of material from which the container may beconstructed and illustrates the position of the various scores, foldsand joints in the construction of the container.

FIG. 5 is a cut-away representation of a side view of the containerdepicting the linear seal effected in the container in its normallyclosed, sealed position.

FIG. 6 is a representation of several of the containers in the rackadapted for use with the container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The container of the inventioncan be made from many conventionally employed packaging materials.

Examples of the container of my invention, have been fabricated from acardboard material 0.015 inch thick, known as paperboard. Plastics in asheet form may also be used. Furthermore, the construction of thecontainer herein described appears easily adaptable to injection moldingfrom plastics according to known methods in the plastic art and theselection of plastics with properties are described hereinafter.

The material of construction should be a rigid material. An importantfactor in the selection of the material from which the container is madeis a quality of the material which can be described as its snap, i.e.,the ability ofa material in one direction to flex under pressure andreturn to its original state upon release of that pressure. Inpaperboard, snap is caused by a lineargrain orientation in thepaperboard itself and occurs along the axis of the grain. In othermaterials, snap can be determined either by grain orientation in thematerial itself or by testing the ability of the material to flex andreturn along an axis. The direction of the axis along which the materialis most resilient, i.e., the direction in which the material will returnback to its original state after being flexed, is the direction of thesnap quality of the material.

Materials which do not exhibit snap qualities, for example, materialsthat fracture when bent or in which are not resilient upon flexing donot appear satisfactory for constructing the container of the invention.

The container is adaptable to practically any desired volume ranging,for example, from a one ounce in volume container adapted, for example,for table salt through a one gallon in volume size adapted for liquidsor solids such as flour, sugar, etc. One limitation in the container,however, is the extent to which it may be filled; if the package isfilled beyond approximately three-quarters of its height (which becauseof its shape is 85% of its capacity) reclosing will be difficult toachieve. The size of the container, thus, is selected to correspond withthe volume of contents it is desired to package. Once a volume isdetermined, it is well known in the art to determine from volume anappropriate base size and height.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 represents a variation of thecontainer of my invention adapted for holding shakeable contents such asspices or other condiments. While the dispensing portion of thecontainer depicted is here adapted for a shaker application. theillustration displays features applicable to all the variations of myinvention.

The container of the invention has two readily identifiable structuralelements: extending from a two dimensional base, 1, is a tapered tubularportion, 2, for containing contents with which the container is to beused and an upper tab portion, 3, which may be adapted for dispensingthe contents.

Between the tubular portion and upper tab a linear seal occurs at 4.

The tubular portion and tab portion are made from the same blank ofmaterial used to construct the container and are respectively defined byscores placed in the material at the point at which the linear seal isdesired. Other scores are also disposed along opposite sides of thematerial of construction of the container at 5 and 6.

When samples of the containers were made from paperboard scores wereplaced in the paperboard as substantially uor v-shaped indentations inthe surface of the paperboard. Scoring was accomplished with a hand toolcomprising a substantially rounded steel point of approximately 0.016 inradius, fastened to a convenient handle. The handle of the scoring toolwas gripped by the hand and pressure was applied through the tool whiledirecting the tool over the paperboard, the pressure being applied beingsufficient to result in scoring the paperboard, but not so heavy, forexample, to cut into or through the paperboard. Rather, however, thescore comprises an indentation, not cutting the paperboard, whichallowed the paperboard to be folded or bent easily along the length ofthe score. The invention is not limited to the particular scoringapparatus described above which is included for the purpose ofillustration only. Many known methods and apparatus of scoring suggestthemselves to be applicable to producing the score herein described.

The scores appear to break into specific areas defined by the scores thesnap quality of the material of construction and create the internalstresses in the container which establish the rigidity and self-sealingfeatures in the container.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the base 1 of the container is atwo-dimensional shape, here circular. The base, which may be made of thesame material as the tubular portion of the container establishes asurface from which the tubular portion of the container 2 projects. Thepreferred shape of the base is a shape, extending from which, thetubular portion of the container 2, in at least a portion of its lengthextending from the base 1, to the linear seal at 4, passes through asmooth, unbroken, unangular circumference. When the base is circular orany other substantially rounded shape, a smooth, unbroken, unangularcircumference is established in the tube 2 at the base 1. If the base,however, is not rounded, for example, if the base were a rectangle orsquare, the tubular portion of the container will pass through a smooth,unbroken, angular circumference in its midsection as it extends from thebase 1 to the linear seal at 4.

The tubular portion of the container 2 is fastened to the base I by wellknown means including glue or crimping portions of the tube about thebase or combination of the two and is not the subject of the invention.The base may also be cup-shape and the tubular portion of the containermay be affixed to the extension from the cup shaped base.

If the container of the invention is injection molded from plastic,ofcourse. the base will be an integral portion of the mold and will notbe independently separate from the tubular extension from the base.

The selection of an appropriate material of construction for the baseand affixing the tubular projection of the container to the base is notan element of the invention and may be accomplished by known methods inthe art.

Preferably the orientation of the axis of the snap quality or lineargrain orientation of the material of constructon of the tubular portionof the container is in a perpendicular relationshipwith the base. i.e.,the axis of snap or orientation of the grain should be orientedsubstantially along an axis from the base 1 to the linear seal of thecontainer 4.

If sheet material is employed in the construction of the container. whenthe material is fashioned into a tube, a seam is provided which is hereindicated at 7. The seam extends the full length ofthe container fromthe base to the terminus of the upper tab portion of the container. Thelocation of the seam is not critical, however, best results are obtainedwhen the seam is substantially centered and not adjacent the sides ofthe upper tab portion of the container.

In extending from the base, 1, the tubular construction of material 2,tapers from twodimensions at the base. 1, to the linear closure of thecontainer, 4. The tubular portion of the container can be made to taperby flattening its upper portion beginning at 4 and extending upwardsthrough upper tab 3. The length of the linear closure 4, of thecontainer is approximately one half the circumference of the containerat the base portion 1.

The location of scores is indicated at 4, 5 and 6. These scores effectthe linear closure of the container that is made at 4 when the containeris in its static. normally sealed state. The score at 4 extends acrossthe breadth of the container at its flattened upper portion. The scoresat 5 and 6 extend from the ends of the score at 4 along opposite sidesof a diamether of the tube but do not extend the full length of thetube. Ordinarily the length of the side scores 5 and 6 extends about onehalf of the length of the entire container, including both the tubularand upper tab portion thereof. The score across the breadth of thecontainer at 4, which defines the upper tab portion of the container andat which location a linear seal occurs, is placed ordinarily at alocation about of the height of the entire container, below the topportion of the container. Thus, the upper tab portion of the container3, extending from the linear sea] at 4, is about of the length of thetubular portion ofthe container measured from its base 1 to the linearseal at 4. i

The scores may be applied to material of construction of the containereither when the container is in tubular form or when the material ofconstruction is in blank form as illustrated in FIG. 4 which readilyillustrates the proportions and location of scores in the container. Inthe blank 27. having first been chosen in height and width to produce acontainer ofappropriatc volume by known formulae or to produce acontainer of predetermined proportions. a score is located along line 28which will be the location of the linear closure. The linear grainorientation or axis ofsnap of the material of construction in the blankshould be parallel with scores 29 and 30. As earlier noted, the score at29 may be approximately located 15% from the upper portion of the blank.The scores along 29 and 30 are approximately one-half the height of theblank. At 31 .and 32 overlapping portions of the seam of the containerare indicated. The blank is then fashioned into a tube fastening theareas at 31 and 32 and a base is affixed at 33. The linear closure willappear along a line 34 between the scores at 29 and 30. Initially thetubular construction may require flattening of the upper tab portions ofthe container. however this may easily be accomplished. Once,'however.the tube is fixed, as determined by the scores, it will maintain itsshape permanently.

Permanent sealing of the container. i.e., sealing the contents untilthey are purchased by a consumer may be effected by the application oftape, glue, or other known fastener over the upper tab. The upper tabportion of the container may be adapted appropriately for thedispensation of whatever contents with which the container is used. Forexample. referring to FIG. 2 which illustrates an open ended upper tab,adapted for dispensation of contents such as liquids, hardware. officesupplies or the like which require an opening of large area throughwhich to pass, and in which 12 is the tapered tubular portion of thecontainer, 13 the location of the linear closure. and 14 the locationofa score along one side of the container, the upper tab may have twosegments 15 and 16, the upper segment being permanently sealed at thefacing inner surfaces thereof at 16 by glue, tape, or other means. Afirst opening of the container is accomplished by cutting or breakingaway the sealed portion of the upper tab 16 from the unsealed portion 15along line 17 which may be selectively perforated or provided with atear tape to facilitate the opening. The consumer when first using thecontents. breaks the original seal. Having thus broken the originalseal, the consumer thereafter relies upon the linear closure of thecontainer, 13, to protect the contents from spillage, spoilation and thelike.

FIG. 3 displays a spout in its open position constructed in the uppertab, adapted for pouring liquids or granular substances such as sugar.Here. side scores are at 18 and 19, the score of the linear closure at20, separating the tubular portion 21 of the container, from the uppertab portion 22. To maintain the container in its open position to allowdispensation of the contents squeezing pressure is applied at the sidescores 18 and 19. Here only a portion of the length of the sealed upperportion of upper tab 22 is cut off to open the container and a smallerspout is accomplished at 23. When squeezing pressure is released thecontainers linear seal 20 flexes back to its closed position.

Displayed in FIG. 3 is an adaptation of the closure of the upper tabthat is also utilized for the shaker tab displayed in FIG. 1. Referringto FIG. 3, lower portion of the upper tab 24 may be made longer than anupper portion of the tab 25 and the longer lower portion folded over theupper portion of and affixed to the upper portion thereof as illustratedat 26 in FIG. 5. In FIG. 1 where a variation of the container adaptedfor shaker dispensation of the contents, appropriate for salt, spices,or other granular substances is disclosed, a convenient shaker top isprovided by permanently sealing the end of the upper tab of thecontainer 3 and by selectively perforating the upper tab of thecontainer as illustrated at 8 in FIG. 1. The longer lower portion of thetab 10 here incorporates both a tear tape 9 and perforations along aline at 11 to facilitate opening of the container. In combination withlarger perforations 8 inserted in either the upper or lower portion ofthe upper tab the container thus has a convenient shaker top openedconveniently by use of a tear tape opened by pulling the tape asindicated at 9. The seal effected at 4 prevents inadvertent spills ofthe contents.

Operation of the container is explained by referring to FIG. 1,opening'the container is accomplished by gripping the container at itsscores 5 and 6 and applying lateral pressure across the length of theupper portion of the container. The linear seal opens and the contentsmay be poured or shaken out. When pressure is released the containerwill either snap back to its normally sealed position or may require aslight pressure to be applied along the seam, at the midsection thereofat a pressure point indicated at 39 in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 5 inwhich a side view of the upper portion of the container is illustratedand in which 35 is the tubular portion and 36 the upper tab and 37 thelocation of a side score, the nature of linear seal effected in thecontainer at 38 is illustrated. Along a line at 38 the inner surfaces ofthe container face each other. When pressure is applied the facingsurfaces separate to allow dispensation of the contents. Referring toFIG. 5, ordinarily, when in its normally closed state the upper tab ofthe container is disposed from an axis corresponding to the. score at37, from about an angle of to about 165 with respect to said axis.

Containers fashioned according to the invention may, at predeterminedlocations either singly or in a group, be stored upon a rack includingtwo parallel tubes separated by space sufficient to allow the insertionof the upper tab portion of the container between the tubes. When one ormore of the containers is inserted in such a rack, an attractive displayresults. Such a rack may be used for sales display of the containers,may be sold with the containers or as an accessory for the containerwhere the contents of the containers are commodities normally consideredas members of an identifiable group or species. For example, spices,hardward, office supplies and the like may be displayed, sold and storedconveniently in multi-unit groups when placed in such a rack.

Referring to the illustration of FIG. 6 in which (four) 4 containers aresuspended from the rack and in which 40, 42, 44 and 46 comprise thetubular portions of containers, the upper tabs of which respectively areindicated as 41, 43, 45 and 47, the upper tabs 41, 43, 45 and 47 areinserted in the space between two tubes 48 and 49 which are resting inside supports 50 and 51 mounted at a predetermined location at whichstorage of the container is desired 53.

The tubes may be free floating" as is illustrated by the rack in FIG. 6,i.e., the tubes may be capable both of freely rotating about their axisand well be capable of vertical movement through space within the sidesupports, accomplished by inserting tubes 49 and 48 in side support 50where a cut-out 52 is appropriately indicated to allow such movement.

It is not necessary that the tubes be capable of lateral (horizontal)movement, and in fact. to prevent the rods from slipping out of the sidesupports it may be desirable that their horizontal movement berestrained. This can be accomplished by known means such as enclosingthe ends of the tubes at their respective ends by disposing plates orcaps of material adjacent the ends of the tubes.

Dimensions of the racks are determined by the dimension of the containeror containers with which the rod is to be used. Ordinarily the minimumlength of the rod, measuring the length between the inner surfaces ofthe side supports of the rod, iscalculated by multiplying the number ofcontainers for which the rod will be used by the length of the containerat its tab-portion. An allowance may also be made for each container tobe used with the rack for a clearance tolerance of approximately 2% to5% of its length to allow facile disposition of the container in and outof the rack.

Referring to FIG. 6, the diameter of the tubes 49 and 48 should notsubstantially exceed the length of the tab portions of the container 41,'43, 45 and 47. Conversely, for any given tube diameter, the length of atab portion of a container may be approximately determined. In practice,an optimum measure for the diameter of the tubes used in the rackconsiders the diameter of the tubes to be approximately equal to thelength of the extending portion of the tab of the container with whichthe rack is to be used.

In operation, the tab portion of the container is pushed between thetubes. The tab is grasped between the tubes and the container remainssuspended. Containers are removed from the rack by pulling outwards.Normally the containers are grasped at their tubular portion forinsertion into and extraction from the rack.

What is claimed is: I

1. A self-closing container adapted for dispensing predeterminedquantities of a container material, the container being a containerwhich normally maintains itself in a closed state and which includes alinear closure which is opened by squeezing across the sides of thecontainer, comprising:

1. a tube extending from a base, the tube when the container is in aclosed position tapering along a portion of its length from a tubularshape to a linear closure which is accomplished by the disposition ofinner facing surfaces of the tube substantially in contact with eachother along a line which extends substantially across a diameter of thetube, the tube extending from a base comprising the portion of thecontainer adapted for containing material and the linear closurecomprising substantially a seal which is adapted for opening to allowthe dispensation of quantities of the contained material and beingfurther adapted for opening by means for squeezing the tube across andadjacent the diameter of the tube which substantially corresponds to thelinear closure, and a 2. means for the dispensation of the contents whenthe linear closure is opened by squeezing across the tube, the means forthe dispensation of the contents including an upper tab portion which isunitary with and extending from the tube, and, when the container isclosed, extends from the linear closure of the tube and comprises thedisposition of the'inner surfaces of the tube in substantially aparallel facing relationship.

2. A container in accordance with claim 1 which includes scores disposedsubstantially at opposite sides of a diameter of the tube. the scoresextending along at least a portion of the length of the tube, and afurther score along at least a portion of a circumference of the tube,the score along at least a portion of the circumference of the tubebeing a substantially linear score disposed between the scores along theopposite sides of the diameter of the tube, the score along at least aportion of the circumference substantially corresponding to the locationof the linear closure of the tube between the facing inside surfaces ofthe tube which are substantially in contact with each other along aline, the score along at least a portion of the circumference dividingthe portion of the tube adapted for containing material from the uppertop portion of the container which comprises the means for dispensation.

3. A tubular container according to claim 1 in which the upper tabportion of the container is normally disposed at an angle of from aboutto about 165 from an axis extending from the bottom portion of the tabat the linear closure of the container to the center of the base of thecontainer.

4. A tubular container according to claim 1 in which an upper portion ofthe upper tab of the container is sealed across at least a portionthereof along its length, the seal across the length of the upper tabbeing a seal independent of the linear closure of the container adaptedto be opened by squeezing.

5. A tubular container according to claim'l in which sealing of thecontainer is accomplished by folding over an extending upper tab anddisposing said folded over extending upper tab in a substantially facingrelationship with the outside surface of the tubular portion of thecontainer.

6. A tubular container according to claim 4, the upper tab of whichfurther includes means for opening at least a portion thereof to allowdispensation of the contained material when the linear closure is openedby squeezing.

7. A tubular container according to claim 6 in which the means foropening a portion of the upper tab includes a tear tape.

8. A tubular container according to claim 1 in which the means fordispensation includes an upper tab adapted to form a spout.

9. A tubular container according to claim 4 in which the upper tab ofthe container includes at least a perforation located between a seal ofthe upper portion of the tab and the linear closure of the container atthe lower portion of the tab, the perforation being adapted for shakingdispensation of the contents of the container when the linear closure isopened by squeezing.

10. A tubular container in accordance with claim 1 in which the materialof construction comprises a material with at least one of a linear grainorientation and an ability to flex in one longitudinal directionthereof.

11. A tubular container in accordance with claim 10 in which thematerial with the at least one of a linear grain orientation and anability to flex in one longitudinal direction thereof is oriented withat least one of the orientation of the grain extending in asubstantially perpendicular relationship with the base of the container,as the material extends from the base of the container, and thedirection of flex extending around the circumference of the tube.

12. A tubular container in accordance with claim 10 comprised ofpaperboard.

13. A blank for the container of claim 2 comprising a substantiallyrectangular portion of material which has a linear grain orientationextending along the height of the rectangle, the size of the rectangularportion of material being predetermined in accordance with the intendedvolume of the desired container and including sufficient allowance inthe width of the rectangle to allow the ends thereof to be subsequentlyjoined together to form a tubular shape, the rectangular portion ofmaterial having impressed thereon two separate linear scores extendingabout one-half the length of the height of the rectangle from the top ofthe rectangle, the two linear scores extending along the height of therectangle being separated in a predetermined measure such that when theends of the rectangle at the width are subsequently joined to form atube, the two scores extend along opposite ends of a diameter of thetube; the rectangular portion of material further having impressedthereon a third score extending across the width of the rectangle, thescore extending across the width of the rectangle, intersecting the twoscores extending from the top of the rectangle and further beingapproximately located at a distance of about 15 to 20 per cent of theheight of the rectangle, from the top of the rectangle; the rectangleincluding in its width ends adapted to be joined together and furtherbeing at the lower portion thereof adapted to receive an element whichconstitutes a base when the intended container is subsequently formed.

1. A self-closing container adapted for dispensing predeterminedquantities of a container material, the container being a containerwhich normally maintains itself in a closed state and which includes alinear closure which is opened by squeezing across the sides of thecontainer, comprising:
 1. a tube extending from a base, the tube whenthe container is in a closed position tapering along a portion of itslength from a tubular shape to a linear closure which is accomplished bythe disposition of inner facing surfaces of the tube substantially incontact with each other along a line which extends substantially acrossa diameter of the tube, the tube extending from a base comprising theportion of the container adapted for containing material and the linearclosure comprising substantially a seal which is adapted for opening toallow the dispensation of quantities of the contained material and beingfurther adapted for opening by means for squeezing the tube across andadjacent the diameter of the tube which substantially corresponds to thelinear closure, and
 2. means for the dispensation of the contents whenthe linear closure is opened by squeezing across the tube, the means forthe dispensation of the contents including an upper tab portion which isunitary with and extending from the tube, and, when the container isclosed, extends from the linear closure of the tube and comprises thedisposition of the inner surfaces of the tube in substantially aparallel facing relationship.
 2. A container in accordance with claim 1which includes scores disposed substantially at opposite sides of adiameter of the tube, the scores extending along at least a portion ofthe length of the tube, and a further score along at least a portion ofa circumference of the tube, the score along at least a portion of thecircumference of the tube being a substantially linear score disposedbetween the scores along the opposite sides of the diameter of the tube,the score along at least a portion of the circumference substantiallycorresponding to the location of the linear closure of the tube betweenthe facing inside surfaces of the tube which are substantially incontact with each other along a line, the score along at least a portionof the circumference dividing the portion of the tube adapted forcontaining material from the upper top portion of the container whichcomprises the means for dispensation.
 2. means for the dispensation ofthe contents when the linear closure is opened by squeezing across thetube, the means for the dispensation of the contents including an uppertab portion which is unitary with and extending from the tube, and, whenthe container is closed, extends from the linear closure of the tube andcomprises the disposition of the inner surfaces of the tube insubstantially a parallel facing relationship.
 3. A tubular containeraccording to claim 1 in which the upper tab portion of the container isnormally disposed at an angle of from about 15* to about 165* from anaxis extending from the bottom portion of the tab at the linear closureof the container to the center of the base of the container.
 4. Atubular container according to claim 1 in which an upper portion of theupper tab of the container is sealed across at least a portion thereofalong its length, the seal across the length of the upper tab being aseal independent of the linear closure of the container adapted to beopened by squeezing.
 5. A tubular container according to claim 1 inwhich sealing of the container is accomplished by folding over anextending upper tab and disposing said folded over extending upper tabin a substantially facing relationship with the outside surface of thetubular portion of the container.
 6. A tubular container according toclaim 4, the upper tab of which further includes means for opening atleast a portion thereof to allow dispensation of the contained materialwhen the linear closure is opened by squeezing.
 7. A tubular containeraccording to claim 6 in which the means for opening a portion of theupper tab includes a tear tape.
 8. A tubular container according toclaim 1 in which the means for dispensation includes an upper tabadapted to form a spout.
 9. A tubular container according to claim 4 inwhich the upper tab of the container includes at least a perforationlocated between a seal of the upper portion of the tab and the linearclosure of the container at the lower portion of the tab, theperforation being adapted for shaking dispensation of the contents ofthe container when the linear closure is opened by squeezing.
 10. Atubular container in accordance with claim 1 in which the material ofconstruction comprises a mAterial with at least one of a linear grainorientation and an ability to flex in one longitudinal directionthereof.
 11. A tubular container in accordance with claim 10 in whichthe material with the at least one of a linear grain orientation and anability to flex in one longitudinal direction thereof is oriented withat least one of the orientation of the grain extending in asubstantially perpendicular relationship with the base of the container,as the material extends from the base of the container, and thedirection of flex extending around the circumference of the tube.
 12. Atubular container in accordance with claim 10 comprised of paperboard.13. A blank for the container of claim 2 comprising a substantiallyrectangular portion of material which has a linear grain orientationextending along the height of the rectangle, the size of the rectangularportion of material being predetermined in accordance with the intendedvolume of the desired container and including sufficient allowance inthe width of the rectangle to allow the ends thereof to be subsequentlyjoined together to form a tubular shape, the rectangular portion ofmaterial having impressed thereon two separate linear scores extendingabout one-half the length of the height of the rectangle from the top ofthe rectangle, the two linear scores extending along the height of therectangle being separated in a predetermined measure such that when theends of the rectangle at the width are subsequently joined to form atube, the two scores extend along opposite ends of a diameter of thetube; the rectangular portion of material further having impressedthereon a third score extending across the width of the rectangle, thescore extending across the width of the rectangle, intersecting the twoscores extending from the top of the rectangle and further beingapproximately located at a distance of about 15 to 20 per cent of theheight of the rectangle, from the top of the rectangle; the rectangleincluding in its width ends adapted to be joined together and furtherbeing at the lower portion thereof adapted to receive an element whichconstitutes a base when the intended container is subsequently formed.